Hikes, heritage and high-end tours: KZN’s women tourism trailblazers

PICTURE a crisp morning in the mountains of northern KwaZulu-Natal: a group of hikers pauses beside a waterfall to stretch and squat, guided by Newcastle-based Tsebiso Maruping.

Down on the Dolphin Coast, travel planner Fezile Nzuza arranges for corporate executives to swap the boardroom for a beachfront yoga session, blending business with bliss.

And in Richards Bay, Pretty Ngubane welcomes international visitors with an exuberant Zulu dance, inviting them to share in local traditions. 

These scenes may span different worlds, but they share a common thread - each are part of an authentic experience crafted by a woman entrepreneur who is reshaping tourism in KZN.

Maruping, Nzuza and Ngubane have built distinct tourism ventures that all break the mold. From mountain trails to luxury escapes to cultural journeys, each business reflects its founder’s passion and creativity.

In a sector often dominated by big players and traditional offerings, they are carving out niches that offer travelers something more personal, meaningful and uplifting. 

Their journeys also highlight the importance of institutional support. The KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA) has been instrumental in creating an enabling environment for enterprises like theirs to thrive from amplifying their stories to connecting them with platforms, markets and media exposure.

By promoting wellness tourism, cultural experiences and innovative travel services under a unified provincial brand, KZNTAFA ensures that diverse operators like Maruping, Nzuza and Ngubane are not only visible but also part of KZN’s broader tourism growth narrative.

Healing on the Hiking Trail

A physiotherapist by training, Maruping, 34, turned her love for the outdoors into a pioneering adventure wellness company. In 2019 she started her company in Newcastle, introducing the novel concept of combining hiking with aerobics-style fitness routines. 

“I wanted to create an experience where people could recover, stay active, and build a healthier lifestyle while enjoying the beauty of nature,” she explains. 

By leading groups up scenic trails, from the historic battlefields of Isandlwana to waterfall-laced paths in Mpumalanga, she proves that exercise and sightseeing can go hand in hand. “The response in the tourism space has been incredible. People are drawn to the uniqueness of combining health, adventure, and travel,” Maruping says.

On each of her outings, Maruping doubles as a guide and motivator, sharing local lore and environmental insights along the way. She often reminds participants to pause and appreciate the birdlife, indigenous plants, and cultural history underfoot. Building this business has not come without obstacles, from physically cutting new trails to winning trust in a male-dominated adventure sector. 

“I see Hikeobics as a bridge between tourism and wellness-it not only attracts tourists who want authentic experiences but also creates opportunities for smaller towns and rural areas to benefit from tourism.”

Luxury Travel with a Purpose

For Nzuza, 32 tourism is all about finding the balance between work and play, luxury and authenticity. Based in Ballito on KZN’s Dolphin Coast, Nzuza started her boutique travel agency in 2015 after discovering how much South Africa had to offer during a friends’ trip she planned. 

Armed with a bachelor’s in tourism and a master’s in commerce, she set out to curate trips that would delight leisure vacationers and meet the strategic needs of business travelers alike. 

Nzuza’s dual focus on corporate and leisure travel has become her signature. One day she might be securing conference facilities and seamless logistics for a company’s international delegation; the next, designing a bespoke honeymoon tour along the Elephant Coast.

A turning point came when Nzuza was selected for the Nedbank Women in Tourism Programme, a mentorship and networking initiative that she describes as a “validation” of her vision. “Key learnings are applied in the business and, most importantly, the availability of mentors to provide guidance where required,” she said. 

Today, Nzuza is charting an ambitious course: expanding into new markets, integrating wellness and sustainability into corporate travel, and exploring technology like AI itinerary tools, while maintaining the personal touch that defines her brand.

Culture and Resilience in Tourism

Hailing from Richards Bay in northern KZN, Ngubane leveraged the region’s rich Zulu heritage and natural attractions to build a tour operation that caters largely to inbound foreign tourists while still keeping South Africans in mind.

“Our country is made up of different ethnic groups, religions, and traditions, yet we coexist as one nation,” she says, adding that her vision was to showcase South Africa’s diversity while “contributing to the conservation and celebration of our heritage.

“We don’t just sell tours, we sell experiences. Our focus is on providing clients with memorable, tailor-made journeys,” she says. “We listen carefully to their needs and respond with flexibility, ensuring that each client leaves with a unique and unforgettable experience.

“In 2020, during the pandemic, I shifted my focus to the local market and began promoting affordable activities like hiking. People quickly took notice, and from that point, the business gained visibility,” Ngubane recalls. 

Her never-give-up attitude has earned Ngubane recognition as one of KZN’s rising tourism stars. 

In the next five years, she envisions PSN Travel Frenzy expanding into multiple branches across South Africa, launching its own fleet of tour vehicles and even a boutique bed-and-breakfast. 

SUNDAY TRIBUNE